About Us

At Gift of Life we believe every person battling blood cancer deserves a second chance at life — and we are determined to make it happen. We are singularly passionate about engaging the public to help us get everyone involved in curing blood cancer, whether as a donor, a volunteer or a financial supporter. It all begins with one remarkable person, one life-changing swab and one huge win — finding a match and a cure.

ONE BOLD VISION

Our History

The saying is that he who saves a single life, saves the world entire. Diagnosed with leukemia in 1991, Jay Feinberg was told he would need a bone marrow transplant to survive, but he had no matching donor in the registry. Thanks to the persistence of a loving family, more than 60,000 donors were tested at drives that spanned the globe, finding matches for hundreds of patients, but not Jay. As his health deteriorated, a last hopeful drive was held. The drive was packing up at the end of the day when one more volunteer asked to be tested. She turned out to be Jay’s perfect match. He received a successful transplant at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA. Feeling that no one should have to search for four years to find a donor, Jay and his family dedicated their lives to a new mission: ensure that every patient in need of a transplant is able to find a matching donor when one is needed. One single act of kindness by Jay’s donor has now saved the lives of thousands of patients, and given hope to their families and their communities. You, too, carry that power to save a life within you. Please join our mission and help us change the world.

Did you know...

A patient is diagnosed with blood cancer every three minutes.

Gift of Life is a national, public, not-for-profit registry facilitating transplants for patients in the
United States and abroad.

The lifetime probability of receiving a stem cell transplant is one in just 200.

Tissue type is inherited, like eye or
hair color. The best chance of finding
a genetic match lies with those of
similar race and ethnicity.

Joining the registry involves a simple cheek swab.

Transplant physicians request donors age 18-45 more than 90 percent of the time for their patients.

Gift of Life is an associate donor registry of the National Marrow Donor Program / Be the Match.

Gift of Life is accredited by the World Marrow Donor Association and is a member of the global registry, Bone Marrow Donors Worldwide.